Seram (Birds Recorded on the Operation Raleigh Expedition)
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CORE Metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk Provided by KUKILA AN ANNOTATED CHECKLIST OF THE BIRDS OF MANUSELA NATIONAL PARK - SERAM (BIRDS RECORDED ON THE OPERATION RALEIGH EXPEDITION) by John Bowler and John Taylor (First draft received 2 April 1988) Introduction Manusela National Park is located in central Seram at 129 deg E, 3 deg S and covers an area of 186 000 ha, about 11% of the surface area of Seram. The Park contains a broad selection of the habitats present in Seram, stretching from the north coast to within 5 km of the south coast. It includes a large portion of the Binaia-Merkele limestone massif with the highest mountain on Seram, Gunung (G). Binaia, at 24.90m, as well as the lower parallel ridge of Gunung (G). Kobipoto (1500 m) to the north, together with a broad section of the lowland alluvial plain where three wide rivers, the Wae Toluorang, Mual and Isal drain northwards to the sea (see fig.1). Observations were made by the authors between 20 July and 25 September 1987 as part of the ornithological research work conducted under the auspices of Operation Raleigh, Seram expedition. The official report for the expedition (in prep.) contains more-detailed information on the avifauna of Seram, and is obtainable from the Operation Raleigh HQ at Alpha Place, Flood Street, Chelsea, London SW3 5SZ. Survey Area The area surveyed includes a large portion of the Park, with relatively lengthy observations from bases above Kineke at an altitude of 700 m (27 July to 12 August), and at Solea at 100 m (22 August to 4 September). Altitudinal ranges were noted on the north face of the Merkele ridge to the summit of G. Binaia and on both north and south faces of G. Kobipoto. Habitats not present in the Park, such as plantation areas and coral islets, were studied along the north coast from Ai Sole in the east to Sawai in the west from 5 to 24 September, with migration studies based at Air Besar inlet and Pulau Sawai. 3 Habitats The vegetation of the Manusela National Park was studied intensively by the Operation Raleigh botanists and their findings are included in the expedition report (in prep). Less than 10% of the Park area has been disturbed by logging activities and broad areas of virgin primary forest remain. The northern alluvial plain supports tal1 lowland rainforest, large areas of which are inundated during the wet season. Eucalyptus trees are common, particularly along the rivers where they form dominant stands. Areas that have been cleared, particularly near the coast, support coarse Imperata grass while scrubby secondary forest predominates between Solea and Air Besar. 4 Lower montane rainforest appears at around 1000m on G. Binaia with different species predominating including 'oaks' (Lithocarpus and Castanopsis), 'meranti', and conifers, (Agathis and Dacrydium), all covered in a thick layer of moss and ferns. Above 2500m upper montane forest occurs with stunted 'elfin' woodland, dominated by ericaceous shrubs and tree ferns, which gradually thin out to the virtually bare summit peaks above 2800m. There is an enclave valley between the Kobipoto and Merkele ridges with large garden areas of the indigenous Alifuru people, and much of the adjoining forest in this area is secondary to varying extent. Outside the Park, coconut plantations extend along moat coastal areas and mangroves are confined to a narrow strip at the sea edge and on offshore islands. Results During the survey, 170 species ware recorded, of which 53 (mostly coastal or migratory species) were recorded only outside the National Park. All of Seram's endemic species were observed within the Park's boundaries, some for the first time this century, while the following species were o added to the avifaunal list for Seram, including two also recorded earlier in the year by D.A. Holmes (pers.comm). Oceanites ocaanicua Tringa glareola Oceanodroma matsudairae Numenius minutus Aquila gurneyi Numenius madagascariensis Falco severus Chlidoniaa hybridus Amaurornis phoenicurua Ge1oche1idon nilotica Irediparra gallinacea Sterna fuscata Calidris tenuirostria Sterna albifrons Catidris subminuta Cuculus variolosus Calidris ferrugirwa Eudynamys cyanoceaphala Calidris alba Aerodramus vanikorensis Tringa totanus Halcyon saurophaga Tringa nebularia Descriptive information is included here only where relevant to the discussion. Brief clarifying descriptions of new species and of Wallacean endemics are given in the official Operation Raleigh report (in prep). The latter report also contains chapters on parrot density studies, a1titudina1 distribution, mixed species flocks, migration and breeding records. 5 Conservation proposals specifically for the avifauna include an immediate ban on the capture and exportation of the Salmon-crested Cockatoo Cacatua moluccensis from Seram, and population monitoring both of this species and of the Purple-naped Lory Lorius domicella. In the systematic list that follows, nomenclature and sequence follow rigidly that of White & Bruce (1986). Resident species that were not observed are : Gallinula tenebrosa, Columba vitiensis, Ptilinopus melanospila. Pitta elagans, Zosterops kuehni and Erythrura trichroa. SPECIES ACCOUNTS Two-wattled Cassowary Casuarius casuarius Reported to be not uncommon in the lowlands, but absent from the higher hills and not reported from the enclave. We failed to observe the species in the wild, but found fresh footprints at Solealama and also droppings quite frequently in the less disturbed areas of the Mual Plains. Captive young birds were seen in Air Besar and are taken as pats from the forest close to the coast; it r reported that adults are also hunted near Pasahari. Streaked Shearwater Calonectris leucomelas Several hundred shearwaters were observed off the north coast in September, especially following periods of NW winds. Most were beyond the reefs and could not be identified, but six birds observed at close quarters from the Ambon ferry on 23 September, a short distance off the north coast, were identified as C. leucomelas. These were large shearwaters, much larger than adjacent Common Terns Sterna hirundo, with a comparatively short and stocky body for a shearwater, and a rather short tail, rounded at the tip. The wings were broad-based, and slightly bent when gliding. The mantle, wings and tail were dark brown, with a slightly darker trailing edge to the wings. The crown and sides of the face behind the eye were dark, with a conspicuous pale forehead, and whitish lores joining with the underparts, which were white from chin to vent. The underwing coverts were white, with dark brown being confined to the trailing edge, primaries and carpal joints. The bill was large and pale. Wilson's Storm-Patrol Oceanites oceanicus Four followed the Ambon ferry a short distance off the north coast on 25 September. This is the second record for Seram waters, following four at the mouth of Ambon Bay on 14 July 1987 (D.A. Holmes, pers. comm). This was a smal1 petrel, with a rather short quare tail (with slightly rounded corners at the tip). The wings were rather short. 6 The legs were quite long, dangling when almost alighting on the water, but trailing beyond the tail in flight. The flight was very erratic, weak and fluttering, with the birds often. dropping back behind the ferry before flying back alongside the boat. The plumage was mainly black above and below, with a prominent squarish white rump and a pale bar on the wing coverts. The yellow soles of the feet were not seen in the field, but were reported from another specimen that was picked up alive from the Ambon ferry at night on 27 Sept. Matsudaira Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma matsudairae Four separate birds flying westwards, out from the straits between Seram and Ambon on 19 July are the first record for Seram. These were large petrels with long, slim body, wings and tail, the latter with a very pronounced fork. The general appearance was slim and elegant, with graceful, fairly direct flight, low over the sea with a steady wing beat, occasionally gliding on slightly bent wings. Mainly sooty black or very dark brown above and below, expect for a pale bar along the base of the secondaries (on the wing coverts), and a diffuse white patch at the base of the primaries observable only at very close range. Red-throated Little Grebe Tachybaptua ruficollis Observed only at Red Lake, west of Wahai, with a maximum of 18 on 18 September; all were adult and could be specifically identified by the rufous-chestnut cheeks and throat, uniformly dark wings in flight and dark iris. Great Frigatebird Fregata minor Large flocks of frigatebirds, sometimes more than 300, congregated each evening above Pulau Sawai in mid September. Most of these were juveniles; among the adults, F. minor was less common than F. Ariel. Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel Among the adult birds at Pulau Sawai, this species out numbered F. minor; it was also occasionally observed well inland. Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris An uncommon coastal species encountered much lass frequently than P. melanoleucos, observed only singly off Wahai, but a flock of 19 in flight at Pulau Sawai on 18th Sept. Little Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax melanoleucos A common species on the coast, and on inland rivers up to 700 m. Maxima of 24 in mangroves near Air Besar on 7 Sept and 28 on Pulau Rajah on 13 Sept. No observed signs of breeding. 7 Red-footed Booby Sula sula Six birds were observed feeding off Air Besar on 5 Sept, following strong on shore winds. Brown Booby Sula leucogaster A total of six birds seen off the coast in September, Including one perched on a buoy off Pulau Lusaolate on 10 Sept. Australian Pelican Pelicanus conspicillatus A single adult bird feeding in shallow water between Pulau Sawai and Pulau Rajah, seen on 11 and 18 Sept.